Our walk from the gas station when our car broke down- Goodwill Outlet in background

Have you ever made a plan to keep out of trouble, but instead found yourself in double trouble? Oh my goodness… That was ME- this week!

My daughter got a job 18 hours from home and needed to get there immediately. But, we didn’t have a budget for the move.

Question: Do we use credit and go into debt?
Answer: Avoid debt at ALL COSTS. Keep the goal and stay out of debt!
The Plan: Leave credit cards at home.

The plan was to pack our 2000 VW Bug and drive 18 hours straight- only stopping for gas. The plan was to get free furniture and appliances from Craigslist when we got there.
The plan was working well! We got there on $100 and slept at a friend of a friend’s house.

The next day, we wasted no time as we headed for a thrift store. It was a banner day! We got a microwave and other appliances all for just $17! We were getting pretty puffed up about our successful plan until we got back
into the car and… it wouldn’t start.

The gas gauge was at a quarter tank. Maybe the gauge is broken? We walked to the nearest gas station… bought gas. That wasn’t the problem.

We asked nearby businesses what local mechanic to call. They all said, “You’re in the hood ma’am. There’s no place we recommend.” That was not comforting!

I called our sweet new friends (who let us sleep at their house). They graciously called a tow truck and had the car delivered to a trusted mechanic. While the car was being towed, we were picked up and delivered to Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

They needed a credit card with my name on it in order to rent a car. Gulp… I didn’t bring a credit card because the plan was to stay out of debt! I didn’t plan to break down! All I had was a debit card and they wouldn’t take a debit card, period.

Sternly, the manager said, “We’re closing. We’ll take you back to where you broke down.” The woman was very rude and treated us like vagabonds.

My emotions rose…

This is where I found myself in double trouble. My flesh wanted to rise up and my faith was challenged. Instantly, I recalled a verse I had read that very morning. “You shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord,
that it may be well with you…” Ah, yes Lord.

“Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.. . but the fruit of the spirit is, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control… If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

I was very kind and gracious to her, as she locked the door. I said, “Would you accept a photo copy of one of my credit cards at home?”

She said, “Yes.” Oh thank the Lord, I thought!

The problem was that no one was at home! Rachel Moberley drove to our house, found the card, and sent a copy to me! I was approved!

The story gets good now… We didn’t just rent a car. We got a truck!
Now we had the needed vehicle to pick up free furniture! And just a few miles from Enterprise, was sitting a free couch. The people selling the couch were Christians and it was very clean. So I asked if they had a mattress or any other furniture they needed to get rid of. They said, “Yes!” After loading all the goods I asked if I could pray for them. They said, “Sure.”

They cried…

I’m not sure who the car broke down for- us or them. We got all this free stuff and they were in need of prayer and God’s direction. JESUS!!!!

It had been a day. I was exhausted from lack of sleep but had made a commitment to the Lord to give Him a sacrifice of praise, prayer, and time with Him in His Word- every morning and night.

I opened the Bible to where I had left off that morning and this is what it said, “And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you into the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So He humbled you… so that you might know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 8:2-3

Gulp. Worship and tears sprang from my heart like a fire hydrant.

Oh Lord, may I be found faithful in the testing- even when my plans fail!

The car? It was the anti-theft processor. It took the garage 6 hours to figure out! There was also a “God set-up” at the mechanic and all the work turned out to be only $150. Although we had to have a credit card to be approved for the rental car, we were able to pay in cash without having to go into debt. Jesus, You are worthy of all my praise! What a life in Christ!

Saying goodbye yesterday

A plan that we make to keep out of trouble is quickly broken if we are merely relying on our own ability. We’re not strong enough on our own. We need supernatural strength, wisdom, and guidance from the King of kings and Lord of lords! He can and will help us through it all!

A couple of weeks ago, I made a plan to fast from complaining for 40 days. I failed on the first day! I came up with a new plan and it’s radically changing my life. Since starting this, I’ve had more breakthroughs- than
ever. Read post to read plan. It will be over on Good Friday, which is the first day of Passover.

I’m journaling everything that happens. It’s unreal!

Do you need to make a plan to keep out of trouble? What is your trouble?

Complaining, debt, gluttony, your mouth, anger, sexual sin, addiction, lack of faith, laziness, lying. . .? Tell me in one word below. I’ll pray for you!

A Real-Life Devotional Bible is a must for your gift set, I’ve got a few devotions in it!

A name will be drawn from the comments to win a Keep Out of Trouble gift set that includes: a Bible, journal for your 40 days, and a candle to remind you to keep the fire burning on the altar of your sacrifice!

You’ll also get this journal and Yankee candle (cupcake scent). You must journal your 40 days!